We analyze the Hα spectral variability of the
rapidly-rotating K1-dwarf LQ Hya using high-resolution Hα spectra
recorded during April-May 2000. Chromospheric parameters were
computed from the Hα profile as a function of rotational phase. We
find that all these parameters vary in phase, with a higher
chromospheric electron density coinciding with the maximum Hα emission.
We find a clear rotational modulation of the Hα emission
that is better emphasized by subtracting a reference photospheric template
built up with a spectrum of a non-active star of the same spectral
type.
A geometrical plage model applied to the Hα variation curve allows
us to derive the location of the active regions that come out to be
close in longitude to the most pronounced photospheric spots found with Doppler imaging
applied to the photospheric lines in the same spectra. Our analysis
suggests that the Hα features observed in LQ Hya in 2000 are a
scaled-up version of the solar plages as regards dimensions and/or
flux contrast. No clear indication of chromospheric mass motions
emerges.

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